Some of the world’s biggest technology companies (Google, Facebook, Microsoft, LinkedIn) all launched major initiatives to upskill workers and businesses in an effort to help them catch up in the digital (technological) revolution, which has been happening for some time, now accelerated as a result of COVID-19. The pandemic has caused a surge in remote work, video conferencing, and leveraging technology to solve business problems that were previously solved in more traditional ways.
To skip to the list of digital upskilling initiatives click here, otherwise continue reading to get additional context as to why the digital skills gap needs to be addressed and how upskilling at this crucial time is essential for anyone who be successful in the future economy.
In a post I wrote last year, I talked about What a ping pong playing robot can teach us about the future of digital marketing. I explored how machine learning was being leveraged in advertising by comparing it to a ping pong playing robot. The robot adjusts its skill level to create a learning environment for its opponent. The only drawback was the machine’s slow-to-start learning stage, however once it has passed the benefits and rewards were worth it.
Now with the schools on hold, companies downsizing, and e-commerce on the rise, it’s no secret that digital real estate, transactions, and skills will all be essential factors helping businesses thrive and professionals provide strategic ways of leveraging machine technology and digital platforms to create an experience of the future. Leverage the time you have now and the wealth of information that is available (a lot of it for free at the moment) to visualize what skills you may need to stay ahead of the game in your industry and start building them before the wave of technology changes becomes a tsunami.
Looking to brush up on your digital marketing skills?
Google Digital Garage: Learn online marketing with free courses
Google Digital Garage allows you to the skills you need for growing your business or starting a career. Upskilling courses include Data and Tech, Digital Marketing, and Career Development. A lot of the courses are free and have been approved by industry experts, top entrepreneurs and some of the world’s leading employers, so you know you are getting quality and up-to-date information.
Summer Camp Google 2020: Fun assignments at home
Perfect for your kids stuck at home this summer. Google is offering online courses for painting, writing, storytelling, arts & crafts, coding and cooking for your kids. They also include internet safety tips to each them how to be responsible and safe online.
Microsoft
Microsoft launches initiative to help 25 million people worldwide acquire the digital skills
The initiative will be grounded in the use of data to identify skills needed to fill in-demand jobs, free access to content to help people develop skills they need for the positions, and low-cost certifications and free job-seeking tools.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn has always aimed to provide people with the skills they need to succeed with LinkedIn Learning courses and learning paths. They often partner with universities and colleges to offer LinkedIn Learning for free to their students.
Boost with Facebook: Summer of Support
Facebook is offering 6 weeks of free digital training classes, insightful interviews with business experts, and presentations from renowned entrepreneurs to help businesses succeed in digital.